OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD

Children and adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suffer from unwanted and intrusive thoughts that they can’t seem to get out of their heads (obsessions), often compelling them to repeatedly perform ritualistic behaviors and routines (compulsions) to try and ease their anxiety.

Most people who have OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational, yet they feel powerless to stop them.

Some spend hours at a time performing complicated rituals involving hand-washing, counting, or checking to ward off persistent, unwelcome thoughts, feelings, or images.

These can interfere with a person’s normal routine, schoolwork, job, family, or social activities. Several hours every day may be spent focusing on obsessive thoughts and performing seemingly senseless rituals. Trying to concentrate on daily activities may be difficult.

Left untreated, OCD can interfere with all aspects of life.Obsessions and unwanted intrusive thoughts

Constant, irrational worry about dirt, germs, or contamination.

Excessive concern with order, arrangement, or symmetry.

Fear that negative or aggressive thoughts or impulses will cause personal harm or harm to a loved one.

Preoccupation with losing or throwing away objects with little or no value.

Excessive concern about accidentally or purposefully injuring another person.

Checking — Checking and re-checking several to hundreds of times a day that the doors are locked, the stove is turned off, the hairdryer is unplugged, etc.

Repeating — Inability to stop repeating a name, phrase, or simple activity (such as going through a doorway over and over).

Mental rituals — Endless reviewing of conversations, counting; repetitively calling up “good” thoughts to neutralize “bad” thoughts or obsessions; or excessive praying and using special words or phrases to neutralize obsessions.